WorldAugust 12, 2026
commandeering
kom-un-DEER-ing
Definition
The act of federal authorities compelling state or local governments to implement, administer, or enforce federal programs against their will.
Etymology
Originating from the French 'commander' (to command), the term originally referred to the seizure of property for military use; in U.S. constitutional law, it describes prohibited federal overreach into state sovereignty.
In the news
The article uses the term in the context of legal doctrine, arguing that the federal government cannot force states to gather or share information for federal immigration enforcement without violating the Tenth Amendment.
Free Speech, Immigration Law, and Truth Telling at UCLA Law’s Recent Federalist Society Event
Read the full article ↗Just Security